The Polly Page Ranch Club

In Short

This novel follows a group of young women from Calvert Hall, a Virginia boarding school, as they trade their restrictive social expectations for a summer of "roughing it" on a Wyoming ranch. Led by the resourceful Polly Page and their friend Jean Murray, the girls learn to ride, camp, and embrace the vastness of the American West. The book endures as a portrait of early 20th-century girlhood, capturing the tension between the "fluffy-ruffly" social conventions of the era and the newfound freedom found in the open, rugged landscape.

The Story

The narrative begins at Calvert Hall, where Polly Page—a girl known for her diplomatic instincts and love for adventure—orchestrates a plan to take her circle of friends to visit Jean Murray’s home in Wyoming. Despite initial concerns about attire and the social "flesh pots" of their comfortable lives, the girls are determined to prove they can be self-sufficient. They raise funds by auctioning belongings and simplifying their wardrobes, eventually setting out on the "Homeseekers’ Special" train.

Upon arriving in the dusty, barren-looking town of Deercroft, they are greeted by Jean’s father and sister, Peggie. The transition from the lush, green Virginia landscape to the wide, sage-brush-dotted valleys of the Crossbar Ranch is striking. The girls quickly adapt to a life defined by the rhythm of the ranch: waking up to the sounds of animals, participating in local chores, and exploring the surrounding wilderness on horseback.

The heart of the journey lies in the girls' immersion into the pioneer spirit. They encounter the solitude of sheep herders, learn the nuances of mountain trails, and even engage in target practice with local ranch hands. Along the way, Polly navigates a delicate family mystery involving Jean’s mother, Mrs. Sandy, and a long-standing estrangement from her sister, Miss Honoria Calvert. The presence of the rugged, landscape-hewn life eventually bridges this gap, as the two sisters reunite in the quiet, expansive setting of the West.

As the summer draws to a close, the girls find that their perception of "home" has been irrevocably altered. They have become skilled riders and confident outdoorswomen, having traded their lace for khaki. Their departure is marked by a deep, mournful farewell to their ponies and the wide Wyoming sky. They leave with a renewed sense of purpose, promising to support missionary efforts in the region and carrying the memory of the "Delectable Mountain" as a symbol of their newfound maturity. The story concludes with the girls reflecting on their "Heart’s Content," having successfully completed their transformation from sheltered schoolgirls to capable travelers who have caught the spirit of the open road.

How It Unfolds

The call to adventure Polly and her friends at Calvert Hall navigate the social complexities of school life while planning a grand expedition to the West. They prioritize practical needs over luxury, demonstrating a shared desire to break away from their ordinary routines.

The journey west The group travels across the country, learning to handle their own luggage and manage their expenses while observing the changing terrain from the train windows. Their excitement grows as they move toward a frontier that feels entirely different from home.

Arrival at Crossbar Ranch The girls are introduced to the Murray family and the realities of ranch life, from the architecture of log cabins to the constant presence of ponies and sheep. They quickly trade their indoor sensibilities for the demands of the open range.

Exploration and discovery Guided by Jean, the girls spend their days riding through the mountains, visiting solitary sheep camps, and witnessing the daily lives of the settlers. They learn about the landscape’s history and the people who have made a home in its rugged, sheltered valleys.

The lesson of the open The climax of their growth comes through shared challenges, including target practice and the emotional resolution of the rift between the sisters. They find that the wilderness provides a space for personal reflection and a deeper appreciation for the lives of others.

The final departure The girls leave Wyoming with a profound sense of loss and accomplishment, having proven their self-reliance. They head back East, forever changed by their summer of "roughing it" and the friendships they forged under the big Western sky.

The People

Polly Page serves as the group’s natural diplomat and catalyst. She is deeply inquisitive, constantly seeking to understand the world around her, and she possesses the rare ability to see past social facades to the humanity beneath.

Jean Murray acts as the bridge between two worlds. As a ranch girl by origin and a student by convenience, she possesses a grounded, practical wisdom that keeps her friends focused. She is a patient mentor who introduces the girls to the beauty of the "Delectable Mountain."

Isabel Lee begins as "Lady Vanitas," concerned with class pins and silk bows, but she undergoes a significant transformation. Through the process of "giving up things," she learns that her worth is not tied to her wardrobe, ultimately becoming the group’s creative documentarian with her camera.

Mrs. Sandy (Diantha Calvert) represents the pioneer experience. Having left the comfort of Virginia for the wildness of Wyoming, she embodies grace and simple heroism. Her reconciliation with her sister provides the emotional anchor for the girls' time on the ranch.

Ruth Brooks is the group’s "Grandma," defined by her spectacles, steady nerves, and calculating mind. She is the most observant of the girls, providing comic relief and a grounded perspective that balances Polly’s idealism and Ted’s impulsive energy.

In Its Own Voice

“Isn’t it a darling land?”

Polly reflects on the expansive beauty of Wyoming as she prepares to return home.

“And the gobble’uns will get you if you don’t watch out!”

Sue injects a bit of childish, literary humor into a discussion about the superstitions of the local population.

“We are all gypsies at heart when it comes to the love of the open.”

Jean summarizes the underlying theme that drives the girls to leave their quiet, comfortable lives for the unknown.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is an exploration of the "pioneer" identity and its accessibility to those raised in privilege. It argues that self-reliance is a skill developed through shedding the superficial markers of one's upbringing—like fancy dresses or class-conscious behavior—in favor of rugged experiences. The book constantly contrasts the "flesh pots" of settled, ornamental life with the "glorious expanse" of the West. It asks whether one can truly appreciate the world without leaving the safety of the known, suggesting that the most meaningful growth occurs when one trades a sheltered existence for the demanding, elemental reality of nature.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the slow, deliberate pacing of early 20th-century coming-of-age stories will find much to admire here. There is a distinct, rhythmic warmth to the prose, which vividly captures the tactile experience of the period—from the smell of lilac blossoms in a Virginia garden to the crisp, thin air of a mountain pass in Wyoming. It feels like a time capsule, offering a window into a world where travel was an event and "roughing it" was a radical, transformative choice for young women.

However, readers should be prepared for the realities of its era. The book reflects the attitudes of the time, including occasional period-specific caricatures and a certain Victorian paternalism regarding Western settlement and the indigenous people of the region. The dialect and the girls' preoccupation with their own social standing may initially feel distant, but as they reach the ranch, the focus shifts to a timeless appreciation for the land. For those interested in the history of juvenile fiction, it remains a fascinating study of how "the West" was packaged for the American girlhood of the 1910s, emphasizing that the most lasting souvenirs of a journey are not photographs, but the grit and independence one gains along the way.